WE commenced meetings at Lake Side Feb. 4, and continued them until the 15th, visiting all the members of the church at their homes. The meetings were well attended, and a good spirit manifested in the steps taken to engage more earnestly in walking in the light.
The church here numbered seventeen, more than half of whom were using either tea, coffee, or tobacco; but before we left a Health and Temperance Club was organized, numbering twenty-five; and all the members of the church except one signed the teetotal pledge and said good-bye to coffee, tea, and tobacco. Quite a number of the families take the Review and Signs, and others have subscribed for Review and Good Health, and efforts are being made to get the "Spirit of Prophecy" and Testimonies so all can read them. Two joined the church, and three the T. and M. Society. Quite a good interest is taken in the Sabbath-school, but they need a supply of maps, and a larger club of the Instructor, which we hope they will soon be able to have.
We visited the brethren near Locust Grove and Visalia, and find them of good courage in the Lord, and all supplied with our periodicals and books. All have adopted tithing, one-third, and temperance, on the Bible plan. There not being a number sufficient to organize a church here, their names were sent in requesting admittance to membership in the Lone Oak Society.
M. C. ISRAEL.
Fairview, Feb. 27. J. L. WOOD.
FRESHWATER, CAL.
By J. D. Rice
Closed our public meetings at this place, for the present, on last evening. Six have covenanted to “keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.” Others are almost persuaded, and we believe they will soon decide to obey. Will remain for a while to follow up the interest by private efforts. Pray for us. J. D. RICE. Williams, March 1, 1880.
LAFAYETTE, CAL.
By B. A. Stephens
THIS week there were three new names attached to the covenant to keep all of God's commandments and the faith of Jesus. Some are ready for baptism. At a prayer-meeting last evening twenty persons were present, and nearly all took part; some lifted the cross for the first time, and felt the Lord's blessing.
March 3, 1880. B. A. STEPHENS.
SUNDERLINVILLE, PENN.
By J. G. Saunders
JAN. 23, I came to Sunderlinville, and have since labored in this vicinity. Sixteen, the heads of six families with their children, have commenced to keep the Sabbath. Among them is one United Brethren minister. Seven Sabbath-school scholars have given their hearts to the Lord, and seven others claim conversion, but are not yet decided on the Sabbath question. The interest is still good; we shall remain here a few days longer. Sold Bibles to the amount of $20, obtained nine subscribers for the SIGNS, and distributed thirty copies of Testimony No. 29.
J. G. SAUNDERS.
WEST SALEM, ILLINOIS.
By G. F. Shonk
I RETURNED here Jan. 17, and baptized seven and organized a church of thirteen members. Six others have begun to keep the Sabbath recently. Our new house of worship will soon be finished.
February 16. G. F. SHONK.
MAYNARD, IOWA.
By J. D. Pegg
We have just closed a very toilsome series of meetings in Maynard. As the result, seven have signed the covenant, and as many more are deeply interested. We are of good courage in the Lord. J. D. Pegg.
THE SPHERE OF USE.
In all useful employments there is, for the mind, a sustaining power.
"How were you able to live through that great affliction?" was asked of a gentleman, who had, some years before, lost his only son, a promising young man, just as he had finished his education, and was about taking his place on the stage of active, professional life.
"It was the severest blow I had ever felt," replied the gentleman; "a blow that caused every fiber in my heart to quiver. But I was able to bear it."
"I give you credit for possessing great fortitude. Such a blow would have carried me to the earth."
"No; I do not possess more fortitude than other men," was replied. "I did not stand up in my own strength."
"But put your trust in Heaven."
"I did."
"You had strong confidence. How many look up and pray for strength in affliction, and yet find none."
"I did not ask strength as a gift from Heaven," replied the gentleman.
"No!" The friend spoke in a tone of surprise. "For the power to bear affliction cannot be conferred upon the mind."
"I do not comprehend your meaning, said the friend.
"A man might pray forever that God would sustain him in affliction, and yet find no comfort, if he did not put himself in the way of consolation."
"How is he to put himself in the way?"
"By engaging in useful employments. But for this resource, I should have sunk down into gloomy despondency, and been wretched beyond description. While my boy lay sick and my heart was trembling in fear of his loss, I did not omit a single professional duty. I went regularly to my office, and transacted every item of business with scrupulous exactness, specially regarding as I did so, the good of those who had called upon me for service. And when death removed my son, I did not sit down in my affliction and pray for sustaining grace. That would have been worse than idle. But, I went daily to my office, and devoted as much time and attention to my professional duties as before. Thus, the sphere of use sustained me. Had I neglected a single case in my hands; had I sought relief in a cessation of work, and tried to divert my mind from its sorrow by visiting new scenes, I would have sunk into the deepest gloom. As it was, however, I was kept in a state of resignation that occasionally approached cheerfulness. Sometimes I wonder at the fortitude with which I went through the fiery trial; but when I reflect upon it, I see clearly wherein lay the strength by which I kept my head above the waters."
Yes, strength to bear affliction with becoming patience is only given in the degree that the sufferer engages in useful work. Then thought turns itself away from sorrow, and becomes interested in the well-being and well-doing of others; and into such a state of mind there is an influx of healing from Heaven.
This is a secret of life that all would do well to lay up in their hearts; if not for present, yet for future use. Few pass far on their journey without the need of comfort, and here is a source of true consolation to which all may go in sorrow.
IDLENESS.
Many young people think an idle life must be a pleasant one, but there are none who enjoy it so little and are such burdens to themselves as those who have nothing to do. Those who are obliged to work hard all day enjoy their short period of rest and recreation so much that they are apt to think that if their whole life were spent in rest and recreation it would be the most pleasant of all. But this is a sad mistake, as they would find out if they made a trial of the life they think so agreeable. One who is never busy can never enjoy rest, for rest implies relief from previous labors; and if our whole life were spent in amusing ourselves, we would find it more wearisome than the hardest day's work. Recreation is only valuable as it unbends us; the idle can know nothing of it. Many people leave off business and settle down to a life of enjoyment, but they generally find that they are not nearly so happy as they were before, and are often glad to return to their old occupation to escape the miseries of indolence.
HOME POLITENESS.
Should an acquaintance tread on your dress, your best, your very best, and by accident tear it, how profuse you are with your "never minds—don't think of it—I do not care at all." If a husband does it, he gets a frown; if a child, he is chastised.
Ah! these are little things, say you! They tell mightily on the heart, let us assure you, little as they are.
A gentleman stops at a friend's house, and finds it in confusion. He don't see anything to apologise for—"never think of such matters—everything is all right"—cold supper—cold room—crying children—"perfectly comfortable."
Goes home; his wife has been taking care of sick ones, and worked her life almost out. "Don't see why things can't be kept in better order—there never were such cross children before."
Why not be polite at home? Why not use freely the coin of courtesy? How sweet they sound, those little words: "I thank you," or "you are very kind." Doubly, yes, thrice sweet from the lips we love, when heart-smiles make the eye sparkle with the clear light of affection.
Be polite to your children. Do you expect them to be mindful of your welfare? to grow glad at your approach? to bound away to do your pleasure before your request is half spoken? Then with all your dignity and authority, have politeness. Give it a niche in your household temple. Only then will you have the true secret of sending out into the world really finished gentlemen and ladies. Again we say unto all—be polite.
NEGLECT OF CHILDREN
Many a mother has wept over the sins of her child, little dreaming that while she pursued her round of idle pleasures, that child was taking its first lessons in sin from the example of a vicious nurse. The truth is, parents take upon themselves too many unnecessary burdens, and consider themselves bound by duty to perform too many tasks, which are of much less consequence than the teaching and training of their children. The father has his trade or profession, and his few leisure hours he must spend in social pleasure. The mother has her household cares and the comforts of her family to study, and besides this, there is much time to be devoted to fancy work, to visitors, and to amusements of one kind and another. Her children are mere secondary considerations, and depend upon the kindness of hirelings. Their dresses may be miracles of puffing, ruffles, and embroidery, but what does that count when their minds are dwarfed through neglect? Her house may be a model of neatness, her bread excel that of all her neighbors, her jellies and preserves enough to tempt the most fastidious; but if, in all this, she has kept aloof from her child, has chilled his heart toward her, what does it count?
PRESIDENT HARRISON'S RESOLVE.
It is related by a Chester (Pa.) lady that when General William Henry Harrison was running for the presidency he stopped at the old Washington House, in Chester, for dinner. After dinner wine was served. It was noticed that the general pledged his toasts in water, and one of the gentlemen from New York in offering another said: "General, will you not favor me by drinking a glass of wine?"
The general declined in a very gentlemanly manner. Again he was urged to join them in a glass of wine. This was too much. He rose from the table, his full form erect, and in the most dignified manner replied: "Gentlemen, I have refused twice to partake of the wine-cup—that should have been sufficient; though you press the cup to my lips, not a drop shall pass the portals. I made a resolve when I started in life that I would avoid strong drink, and I have never broken it. I am one of a class of seventeen young men who graduated, and the other sixteen fill drunkard's graves all through the pernicious habit of social wine-drinking. I owe all my health, happiness and prosperity to that resolution. Will you urge me now?"
Nothing Between Us and Christ
When Alexander the Great visited the Greek philosopher, Diogenes, he asked him if there was anything that he could give him. He got this short answer, "I want nothing but that you should stand from between me and the sun." Let the spirit of that answer run through our religion. One thing there is which should never satisfy and content us, and that is, "anything that stands between our souls and Christ."
VALUABLE BOOKS.
By W. C. White
Ever since the great awakening of interest in the Sabbath-school work among S. D. Adventists, the question has been repeatedly asked, "What text-books and manuals on teaching can you recommend as the best for S. S. teachers and officers?" We have been slow to answer these inquiries because while there are scores of books written on this work and containing valuable thoughts, their plans are mostly laid with reference to a system so different from ours that the larger portion of the work is of little value. There are a few books, however, which we can heartily recommend to S. S. officers, teachers, and scholars, and to this list we hope to add others from time to time.
"The Hand Book of Bible Geography" and "The Hand Book of Bible Manners and Customs," published by the Methodists, "The Companion to the Bible," and "Sacred Geography," published by the Am. Tract Society, are undoubtedly the best books of their kind, and in the teachers' library come next in importance to the Bible Dictionary, Concordance, and Bible Atlas. All of these are mentioned more fully in another column.
We have just read "The Church School and Its Officers" a thoroughly interesting and instructive volume by J. H. Vincent, D. D. It is written mainly for ministers, especially the younger ministers of the church, to whom the author has spoken very frankly and plainly. He has also sought to define the duties of the Sabbath-school officers, the superintendent, secretary, chorister, etc., upon whom as much depends. His appeals for the study of the Word of God and for thorough and efficient methods cannot be read by teacher, parent, or scholar without awakening a new interest and ambition to improve the opportunities to do good, and receive good, which are weekly and daily offered in the Sabbath-school work.
W. C. WHITE.
THANK-OFFERING.
By James White
We sometimes hear the remark, "Good what there is of him." Three-fourths of a true man is better than a whole man composed of poor material. Bro. James Hackett of Galena, Kansas, says:—
"Although not able to work much, on account of having a much-worn wooden leg, yet through the providence of God I have a sufficiency of convenient food and clothing. As a thank-offering I enclose $10 to be applied on the house of worship at Oakland, Cal."
We have $1,700 in that house, and do not call for donations to take the place of what we have given, but to clear the entire debt. We hope that the liberality of this poor cripple will "provoke" men who have means and two good legs on which they can earn more, unto "love and to good works." J. W.
Aid for Elder Corliss
By James White
We acknowledge with gratitude the prompt response of dear friends at Stony Point, Cal., to our suggestion that Elder Corliss in his illness would thankfully receive aid. These distant friends have sent him the sum of $12. God in answer to prayer, James 5 : 14, 15, is raising Bro. Corliss to health. California and the Pacific slope generally, will probably be the field of his future labors. J. W.
APPOINTMENTS.
If nothing in the providence of God prevents, there will be a general meeting held at Santa Rosa, March 13 and 14. We hope to see a general attendance from Petaluma, Healdsburg, and Bloomfield churches, and all the surrounding country. It will be a meeting of special interest to our brethren and sisters. Sr. White will attend. S. N. HASKELL.
Mrs. E. G. White will meet with the church in Oakland, Sabbath, March 6. It is hoped that there will be a full attendance of the brethren and sisters.
The church of San Francisco are invited to meet with us at that time. Come, as many as possible.
Mrs. White will also speak in Oakland Sunday evening, March 7.
Elder Waggoner will preach in San Francisco Sunday evening next.
Providence permitting, I will meet with the friends at Lemoore March 13, and at Santa Ana, Los Angeles Co., March 20. J. L. WOOD.
CHANGE OF ADDRESS.
By D. C. Hunter
My address is changed to Sedalia, Pettis county, Mo., Box 201. Business office, corner of Main and Ohio streets, second floor, over Citizens' National Bank. Residence, S. W. corner of 3d and Moniteau streets. D. C. Hunter, Sec. Mo. Conf.
TRIBULATION WORKETH PATIENCE.
As the harp-strings only render
All their treasures of sweet sound,
All their music, glad or tender,
Firmly struck or tightly bound;
So the hearts of Christians owe
Each its deepest, sweetest strain,
To the pressure firm of woe,
And the tension tight of pain
Spices crushed their pungence yield,
Trodden scents their sweets respire;
Would you have its strength revealed,
Cast the incense in the fire.
Thus the crushed and broken frame
Oft doth sweetest graces yield;
And through suffering, toil, and shame,
From the martyr's keenest flame,
Heavenly incense is distilled!
—The Voice of Christian Life in Song.
News of the Day
IN an inquiry into the cause of the Tay Bridge disaster, now being held at Dundee, painters who worked on the bridge last summer, testified at that time the bridge was in bad condition. Iron bars were loose, bolt holes were empty, and nuts were unscrewed, and during windy weather the oscillation of the bridge was so great that they were fearful it would fall. Molders employed by the contractors testified that the quality of iron used was very inferior; that columns were frequently cracked, and that cracks and holes were filled with putty, and painted over.
M. PASHKOFF has become the instrument of an important Protestant evangelization movement in St. Petersburg, Russia. At first he attempted to gather together the droschky drivers and hackney coachmen of the capital, many of whom were converted. Thence his work has gradually extended until now he has at his house, every morning and evening, public reunions, at which people of all ranks of society are to be met, and the Prefect of Police has authorized him to distribute the Scriptures and tracts in the streets of the capital.
THERE are between ten and twenty thousand domestic slaves in the British city of Hong Kong, and upon a decision by the Supreme Judge, that this slavery must be done away with, one hundred Chinese merchants of the highest class unite in a memorial arguing that domestic slavery is so interwoven with the structure of Chinese society that they cannot do without it.
REV. MR. MATTHEWS, of Onarga, Ill., the good Christian worker among prisoners, has distributed 2,300,000 pages of reading matter during the last year in the prisons of Louisiana, Texas, Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, California, Nebraska, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. The railroads give free transportation both to him and what he carries, and the great good he does is evinced by the gratitude of the prisoners. There is room in this country for more such men.
THE Chinese Religious Tract Society has determined to publish twelve tracts of about twenty pages each of uniform size, and treating of doctrinal and practical subjects.
BUSINESS DEPARTMENT.
By Editor
"Cursed be he that doeth the work of the Lord deceitfully," (margin, negligently). Jer. 48:10.
RECEIVED FOR THE SIGNS.
$2.00 EACH. W. G. Myres 7-8, John Custer 7-9, Clara Robinson 7-8, Mrs F A Reed 7-8, J W Bond 7-8, F A Stone 7-7, J C Cole (2 copies) 7-8, Lucie Bush 7-1, A M Mann 8-1, J W Allen (2 copies) 7-8, Mrs Lucinda Cook 7-8, Mrs Mary Long 7-8.
$1.25 EACH. D S Tyler 7-8, Jos H White 7-8, Mrs Jennie Rice 7-8, S A Sterrett 7-8, Miss Lizzie Anderson 7-8, Silas Austin 7-8, John Holenbeck 7-8, Emma Barrett 7-8, John Raedels 7-8, Margaret Avery 7-8, Z M Hill 7-8, Jacob Yoder 7-1, Orange Williams 7-1, Lemuel Risley 7-8.
$1.00 EACH. Ang Garey 6-32, Mrs J J Getty 6-32, Mrs J A Lackey 6-33, North Field Minn Free Reading Room 7-8, Mrs Laura Tingus 6-32, Amanda Shmyock 7-8, J N Lalhoun 7-8, John Vogt 6-32, Y M C A Springfield Ill 7-8, Israel Parker 7-8, A Swett 7-8, C Clark 7-8.
MISCELLANEOUS. Thedocia Hutchinson 25c 6-18, A A Carter (20 copies) 20.00, 7-8, John Collie (10 copies) 10.00, 7-8, J Z Casell (10 copies) 10.00, 7-8, S N Babcock (10 copies) 10.00, 7-8, Libbie Fulton (40 copies) 40.00, 7-8, J M Latimer 25c 6-17, Mrs Angie Hatch 1.75, 7-8, E Quartemass 63c 6-32, Ellen A Randall (20 copies) 20.00, 7-8, Lucius Sanborn (10 copies) 10.00, 7-8, Anson W Sanborn (31 copies) 31.00, 7-8, Mrs Chloe Starr 25c 6-20, T H Purdon (7 copies) 7.00, 7-8, T H Purdon (3 copies) 3.00, 7-11, J M Denny 25c 6-20, Wm McCurdy (10 copies) 10.00, 7-8, Mrs C M Chamberlain 1.50, 7-8.
VALUABLE TEXT BOOKS
FOR MINISTERS, S. S. OFFICERS, AND BIBLE STUDENTS.
Law for the Clergy. A Compilation of the Statutes of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin, relative to the duties of clergymen in the solemnization of marriage, the organization of churches and religious societies, and the protection of religious meetings and assemblies, with notes and practical forms embracing a collation of the common law of marriage.
$1.00
The Church, School, and its Officers, by J. H. Vincent, D. D. 75 cts
The Art of Questioning, with an introductory address on Training Classes, by J. G. Fitch.
15 cts
The Use of Illustrations in S. S. Teaching, by J. M. Freeman.
15 cts
The Art of Securing Attention in a S. S. Class, by J. G. Fitch.
15 cts
S. S. Institutes and Normal Classes, by J. H. Vincent, with an introduction by Alfred Taylor. This book will be especially valuable to those who contemplate holding Institutes, and seek direction as to how the time of the sessions may be occupied to the best advantage. Many an Institute has failed because its promoters were short of just such information as is given here concerning arrangement and management. 186 pp.
75 cts
Sacred Geography and Antiquities, by Prof. E. P. Barrows. 685 pp.
$2.25
Companion to the Bible, by Barrows. 668 pp.
$1.75
Bible Geography. Hand-Book of. (New and Revised Edition.) Containing the Name, Pronunciation, and Meaning of every Place, Nation, and Tribe mentioned in both the Canonical and Apocryphal Scriptures. By Rev. Geo. H. Whitney, A. M. Illustrated by one hundred Engravings, and forty Maps and Plans. Four hundred closely printed pages. 12mo.
$2.50
Bible Manners and Customs. Hand-Book of. Containing Descriptions of the Ancient Manners and Customs mentioned in the Bible, and explaining over three thousand Scripture Texts. By James M. Freeman, D. D. Illustrated by 168 Engravings, and accompanied by an Analytical Index, a Textual Index, and a Topical Index. 12mo. 515 pp.
$2.50
The Bible Atlas and Gazetteer, Containing six large and accurate maps, and a list of all geographical names with references to their Scripture places and to the proper maps; also a variety of useful tables.
Muslin Bound, $1.00
A Dictionary of the Holy Bible, for general use in the study of the Scriptures; with engravings, maps, and tables. Published by American Tract Society.
Muslin Bound, $1.50
Sheep, 2.00
SABBATH-SCHOOL RECORD BOOKS.
The Complete S. S. Record and Register. These books are of several sizes, suited to the number of scholars in various schools.
Record B contains 175 pages (half Russia binding), and is suitable for a school of from eighty to two hundred members for two years. Price, $1.20.
Record C. Same size as Record B (half bound; that is, leather back and corners, with paper sides). Price, $1.00.
Record D contains 110 pages (half bound), and is suitable for a school of less than eighty members for two years. Price, 75 cents.
Record F has 56 pages, bound in press-sheet covers like the Class Record, and is suitable for a school of less than thirty members for one year. Price, 35 cents.
COLTON'S SABBATH-SCHOOL MAPS.
No. 1. Eight-sheet map of Palestine.—With topographical plan of the city of Jerusalem, and a plan of the vicinity of Jerusalem. Size, 116x81 inches. This beautiful wall map is printed in such a large, clear, distinct style, that everything upon it is clearly distinguishable from every part of a large school-room. Price, printed on cloth, $12.50.
No. 2. Map Illustrating the Travels of St. Paul.—Eight sheets. Size, 116x81 inches. This is the largest map of these countries ever publis hed. The routes of St. Paul are distinctly shown by strong lines of different colors; the names of places visited in his various missionary tours are lettered very boldly to distinguish them from other ancient names; and the few modern names that are introduced to make the identification with places of present interest more easy, are in a still lighter style of lettering. Price, on cloth, $12.50.
No. 5. Map of the Peninsula of Mount Sinai.—Illustrating the wanderings of the Israelites in their journey from Egypt to Canaan, with a plan, on a large scale, of the vicinity of Mount Sinai, 72x52 inches. This map exhibits the results of the researches of the English and American expeditions for the exploration of this interesting region. Its large scale, bold lettering, and skillful execution have combined to produce a map which fully meets the want long felt by those who have attempted to teach the narrative of the Exodus. Price, on cloth, $5.00.
No. 6. Old Testament Map of Palestine.—Size, 58x41 inches. Price, on cloth, $3.00.
No. 8. New Testament Map of Palestine.—Size, 58x41 inches. Price, on cloth, $3.00.
Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
WILL SINNERS LIVE ETERNALLY?
By John Nevins Andrews
We find in one of our exchanges an attempt to establish the doctrine of natural immortality. By this term we mean to represent the doctrine that God gave to Adam immortality at his creation, and that every member of the human family inherits immortality from Adam. The writer who attempts to establish this doctrine is prompted to this act by the article in the October number of Les Signes entitled, "Has Man an Immortal Nature?" In that article it was shown that God made man capable of obtaining immortality, but that immortality itself is not to be given till men have been judged; and that it will then be given to those who have formed characters such as God approves. Such is certainly the doctrine of Paul, who says that immortality is to be sought by a life of obedience to God; and that it is to be given at the sound of the last trumpet, but only to the just. Rom. 2:7; 1 Cor. 15:50-54.
In what manner does our friend attempt to refute the arguments of our article? He speaks of the article in a very bitter and insulting manner, but does not mention one of the arguments which it contains. He refers to Gen. 2:7, which states that God made man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living soul. He thinks this passage a sufficient proof that God gave man an immortal nature; but he forgets that God threatened this man with death in case he should disobey, and that when the man had disobeyed he pronounced sentence of death upon him and drove him away from the tree of life lest he should eat of it and live forever. Gen. 3:19, 22-24. It follows therefore that God gave to man life with certain conditions annexed to the gift. If he failed to comply with them he must die; if he proved faithful to God he should live forever. It is therefore evident that God did not give to Adam immortality, but gave to him life which he might perpetuate or lose according to the course he should take.
Our friend undertakes to prove the immortality of the wicked, by attempting to show that they will suffer eternal torment in fire; and he thinks that if they are capable of sustaining the action of fire during infinite ages they must be immortal. This is the kind of proof that he adduces in support of the theory that man possesses an immortal nature. He thinks this doctrine of natural immortality one of the most precious truths of the gospel, and warns his readers against those who call it in question. He considers such persons dangerous deceivers. Countless millions die in sin who have never had in all their lives but a few rays of divine light to shine upon them. Yet every one of these, according to his theory, will live in the fire of hell through all eternity.
Now let us see how he proves this terrible doctrine. The first passage which he adduces to prove the endless torment of the wicked is 2 Thess. 1:9. But this passage declares that the wicked shall be punished with everlasting destruction. It exactly expresses the doctrine which we cherish. The wicked will be cast into a lake of fire for the purpose of being consumed. Rev. 20:13-15; 21:8. Matt. 3:12; Mal. 4:1-3; Rom. 6:23.
This lake of fire is said to be the second death; but those who are cast into it will not die at once. They will suffer greater or less degrees of torment, according to their respective guilt, (Rom. 2:5-9; Luke 12:47, 48; 20:47), but the fire will at last utterly destroy them (Mal. 4:1) and this will be an eternal destruction from which there will be no resurrection. But our friend teaches that the wicked will not be destroyed by the fire but will be eternally preserved in it.
His second passage is Matt. 3:12: "He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." He interprets this to mean that the chaff will exist in the fire unconsumed through eternal ages. Yet the chaff is cast into the fire, not to be preserved, but to be destroyed. If the fire were to be extinguished it would leave some of the chaff unconsumed; if it is not extinguished it will burn till all the chaff is consumed. The prophet Jeremiah warned the Jews that if they did not repent, God would kindle a fire in the gates of Jerusalem, which should consume her palaces and should not be quenched. Jer. 17:27. They persisted in their wickedness, and God sent against Nebuchadnezzar, who burned every house in the city. Jer. 52:12, 13. Now we see what is meant by a fire that shall not be quenched. This is the kind of fire that burned Jerusalem. Every house was consumed and then the fire ceased. But as our friend interprets an unquenchable fire, Jerusalem should have stood in the raging fire during all these 2500 years since the time of Nebuchadnezzar, and every house, though enveloped in fire, ought still to continue in perfect preservation.
His third proof that wicked men are immortal is Mark 9:43-48, which speaks of the worm that shall not die, and the fire that shall be quenched. This passage sets forth the awful punishment of the wicked, but does not represent them as immortal. We have shown that an unquenchable fire does not signify a fire that will burn eternally, but one that will utterly consume all that is cast into it. But because it is said that their worm shall not die, it is concluded that the wicked must be immortal, in order that the worm may feed upon them without consuming them. But in this language Christ brings to view not the preservation of the sinner, but his destruction. This will be still more apparent if we turn to Isa. 66:24, from which Christ took these words. If the worm feeds upon the wicked and does not die, the time must come when they will be wholly devoured. If the fire which burns them is not quenched, it will utterly consume them. The words of Isaiah show conclusively that those who are exposed to this terrible destruction are not immortal beings. Isaiah represents the fire as preying upon the carcasses of the men that have transgressed against God. The anguish of the wicked in the lake of fire will not be of short duration, but it will result in the second death.
His fourth proof that the wicked will live forever is Matt. 18:8, which speaks of the everlasting fire into which they will be cast. He supposes that the wicked will not be consumed by this fire, but will be eternally preserved in it. But the fire which God rained upon Sodom and Gomorrah is said to be eternal fire. Jude 7. Yet the Dead Sea covers the place where the smoke of those cities once went up as that of a great furnace. Gen. 19:27, 28. This fire is called eternal for the same reason that the judgment is called eternal in Heb. 6:2. The judgment will not last forever, but its consequences will be eternal.
Another proof that the wicked will live forever he finds in Matt. 25:46: "these shall go away into eternal torments." But the word torments in the French Bible is a false translation. The Lausanne Bible, like the English Bible, renders the word punishment. Paul tells us that this punishment is everlasting destruction. 2 Thess. 1:9. This destruction includes: 1. The dreadful agony of the second death; 2. The eternal loss of the bliss of Heaven. Those on the right hand will go into everlasting life; those on the left will go into the lake of fire, which is the second death.
The final proof that the wicked will live as long as God shall exist is drawn from Rev. 14:11; 10:14, where it is said that "the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever," and "they shall be tormented day and night forever and ever." This phrase represents the longest period which the persons or things spoken of are capable of existing, taking their nature and the circumstances of the case into the account. Thus there is a vast difference in the duration of this period when it is applied to the existence of mortal man and when it is applied to the existence of God who is immortal. Thus the Hebrew word goh-lahm is used to express the duration of the existence of God. God says, "I live forever," goh-lahm. Deut. 32:40. The Psalmist says: "The Lord shall endure forever," goh-lahm. Ps. 9:7. Ps. 29:10. "Thou, Lord, art most high forevermore," goh-lahm. Ps. 92:8. "The Lord shall reign forever," goh-lahm. Ps. 146:10. "The word of our God shall stand forever," goh-lahm. Isa. 40:8. Dan. 12:7. There can be no doubt that goh-lahm expresses in these passages, and in many others, eternity or duration without end. But goh-lahm is also used to express the duration of the existence of the ceremonial law, which the New Testament represents as abolished. Thus the passover was an ordinance forever, goh-lahm. Ex. 12:14, 17, 24. The Levitical priesthood was to be an ordinance forever, goh-lahmEx. 29:9, 28; 40:15. Many ceremonial ordinances were forever, goh-lahm. Lev. 6:18, 22; 7:34, 36; 10:15; 23:14; 24:9; Num. 18:8, 11; 19:10, 21.
Now we can understand how easy it was for the Jews to resist Paul when he taught that these ceremonies were all abolished at the death of Christ. The Jews reasoning precisely like our friend, in his effort to establish the immortality of the wicked, answered him thus: The same word is used to express the duration of our ceremonies, that is used to express the existence of God. Therefore, we are certain that they will exist as long as God exists. But Paul must have replied: God is immortal and can never cease to exist; these ceremonies are only shadows having no permanent value, and can only endure during a limited period. To which the Jews naturally replied in words like those of our friend in his attack upon us: You seek to destroy the truth of God; it is written that these ceremonies shall endure as long as God shall exist. Who was in the right, Paul or the Jews? Our friend would be obliged to justify the Jews, and condemn Paul. And yet this word goh-lahm, (forever,) is twice applied to the duration of the present life. Ex. 21:6; Deut. 15:17.
The same declaration is made concerning the burning of Edom, that is made concerning the torment of the wicked. God said that it should not be extinguished, and that the smoke of its burning should ascend forever. But after this the country was to be a perpetual desolation, and no man was to pass through it. Isa. 34. This shows that fire that never shall be quenched, and smoke that ascendeth forever can give place to utter desolation when every thing has been consumed. But where smoke ascends it is evident that fire is consuming that which produces the smoke. But the thing which consumes must finally cease to burn, because at last nothing remains to support the fire. David speaks thus concerning the wicked: "But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the Lord shall be as the fat of lambs: they shall consume: into smoke shall they consume away." Ps. 37:20. Thus the ascent of the smoke is a testimony that the wicked are consuming in their torment, however slowly, and that finally they must perish utterly.
But there is an important fact which makes the utter destruction of the wicked in the lake of fire a certainty. It is that the lake of fire in which the wicked will receive their punishment, is this earth when it shall be melted by fire in the day of judgment. 2 Pet. 3; Mal. 4; Rev. 20. But the lake of fire which consumes the sinners and causes them to ascend in smoke will not exist forever. It will reduce our earth to ashes, and from those ashes God will create the new earth wherein the just will dwell. See the chapters just cited and see also Rev. 21.
Our friend quotes John 3:16 to show that those who perish will live as long as those shall live who receive eternal life! He also quotes John 3:36 to prove that those upon whom the wrath of God will abide, and who will not see (eternal) life, will actually live to all eternity. But the wrath of God will inflict the second death with all its terrible anguish; that wrath will never suffer the resurrection of the sinner from that death, so that he shall sustain the eternal loss of the infinite joys of Heaven. "The soul that sinneth it shall die." Eze. 18:4, 20. "The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Rom. 6:23. J. N. A.
Bale, Feb. 1.
NO PLACE.
By R. F. Cottrell
In describing the destruction of the great image which Nebuchadnezzar saw in his dream, which was a symbol of the kingdoms of the world, it is said that it became as the chaff of the summer threshing floors, and the wind carried it away, so that there was no place found for it. This is a figure of complete destruction. The kingdoms exist no longer; for they have been broken to pieces and removed, so that they are to be found in no place. They are no longer kingdoms, and they exist nowhere.
In like manner the destruction of the ungodly is described. "For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be."
To be, means to exist. They shall not exist. Where can they be found? Nowhere. They have no place in the universe of God. Search as much as you will, and as far as you can, and it cannot be found. It does not exist. Like burning fat, the wicked have consumed into smoke. They exist no more, and their place cannot be found. Ps. 37.
R. F. COTTRELL.
Living Right
To preach or write well, is a good acquirement; but to live aright, is far better.